~ THE PRINCIPLES & ELEMENTS OF DESIGN ~
A Basic Framework for the LANGUAGE of ART
compiled by Harry and Suzy Ally
ELEMENTS of DESIGN are the tools of an artist:
- Line
- Color
- Texture
- Value
- Shape
- Time
PRINCIPLES of DESIGN are the rules of composition, a way to use the ELEMENTS. Principles are based on the observation of nature & vary according to what book you look at:
- Unity & Variety - Unity is the repetition of the elements but if perfectly repetitive, it's boring. Therefore you have to add a little variety which is a contrast of an element. Too much variety equals chaos. Harry & Suzy's personal is 90% unity & 10% variety.
- Balance - Asymmetrical, symmetrical & radial
- Emphasis - Focal point
- Rhythm - Multiple focal points, creating movement
- Proportion - Golden Mean, 1:1.618 found in nature, Rule of Thirds.
MEDIUMS - the medium simply states the physical materials used:
- oil paint
- watercolor
- pencil
- charcoal
- "mixed media"
- canvas
- paper
- bronze
- steel
- porcelain
- clay
- dirt
- live earthworms [heh heh]
- a world of possibilities